One piece polymer ammunition cartridge having a primer insert and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition and methods of forming a single piece polymer ammunition cartridge and polymer ammunition.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-part Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/978,616 filed May 14, 2018, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/011,202 filed onAug. 27, 2013 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,546,849 issued Jan. 17, 2017, which isa division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/292,843 filed on Nov.9, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,543 issued Oct. 13, 2013, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/456,664,filed Nov. 10, 2010, the contents of each are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of ammunition,specifically to compositions of matter and methods of making polymericammunition cartridges and polymeric ammunition made as a single piece.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH

None.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIALS FILED ON COMPACT DISC

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is describedin connection with lightweight polymer cartridge and ammunition.Conventional ammunition cartridges for small caliber, as well as largercaliber weapons, are made from brass, which is heavy, expensive, andpotentially hazardous. There exists a need for an affordable lighterweight replacement for brass ammunition that can increase missionperformance and operational capabilities. Lightweight polymer ammunitionmust meet the reliability and performance standards of existing fieldedammunition and be interchangeable with existing weaponry. Reliablecartridge casings manufacture requires uniformity (e.g., bullet seating,bullet-to-casing fit, casing strength, case dimensions, etc.) from onecartridge to the next in order to obtain consistent pressures within thecasing during firing prior to bullet and casing separation to createuniformed ballistic performance. Plastic cartridge casings have beenknown for many years but have failed to provide satisfactory ammunitionthat could be produced in commercial quantities with sufficient safety,ballistic, handling characteristics, and survive physical and naturalconditions to which it will be exposed during the ammunition's intendedlife cycle; however, these characteristics have not been achieved.

Shortcomings of the known methods of producing plastic or substantiallyplastic ammunition include the possibility of the projectile beingpushed into the cartridge casing, the bullet being held too light suchthat the bullet can fall out, the bullet being held insufficient tocreate sufficient chamber pressure, the bullet pull not being uniformfrom round to round, and the cartridge not being able to maintain thenecessary pressure, portions of the cartridge casing breaking off uponfiring causing the weapon to jam or damage or danger when subsequentrounds are fired or when the casing portions themselves becomeprojectiles. To overcome the above shortcomings, improvements incartridge case design and performance polymer materials are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides polymer ammunition cases (cartridges)injection molded over a primer insert and methods of making thereof. Thepresent invention provided polymer ammunition noses that mate to thepolymer ammunition cases to be loaded to make polymer ammunition andmethods of making thereof.

The present invention provides a single piece polymeric ammunitioncomprising: a primer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottomsurface, a coupling element extending away from the bottom surface and aprimer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface,a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extendthrough the bottom surface, and a groove that extends circumferentiallyabout the primer flash aperture in the primer recess, wherein the grooveis adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a polymeric single piecebody extending from a projectile aperture to a neck region thattransitions to a shoulder region that extends to overmold the primerinsert, wherein the polymeric single piece body extends over thecoupling element into the primer flash aperture and into the groove toform a flash hole; a propellant chamber defined between the primer flashaperture and the projectile aperture; a diffuser inserted into theprimer recess; a primer inserted into the primer recess in contact withthe diffuser; a propellant at least partially filling the propellantchamber; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the bullet-endaperture. The polymer ammunition cartridge is formed from a ductilepolymer. The neck comprises a texturing at the nose end aperture. Thetexturing includes one or more selected from etching, grooves, hatching,knurling, a texture, rings, and free formed textures. The texturing ison an internal neck region. The polymer ammunition cartridge comprises anylon polymer. The polymer ammunition cartridge comprises afiber-reinforced polymeric material. The fiber-reinforced polymericcomposite contains between about 10 and about 70 wt % glass fiberfillers, mineral fillers, or mixtures thereof. The polymers is selectedfrom the group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose,fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinylacetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone,polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermosetpolyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers,acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers,polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones,polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene,terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplasticpolyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides,polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styreneacrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrenemaleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies,phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes,silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymersof polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymersof poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones withpolysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends ofpolyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides andpoly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers. The polymeric ammunition comprisesone or more polymers selected from the group consisting of polybutylene,polybutylene terephthalates, polyphenyl sulfones, polyether sulfones,and polycarbonates. The projectile is a .17 HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 AckleyHornet, .17 Winchester Super Magnum, .17-32 Magnum, .17 VHA, .17Remington, .17/222, .17 Mach .17 Ackley Improved Bee, .17-357 RG, .17Remington Fireball, .17 Incinerator, 4.39×39Rmm SPS, 0.204 Ruger, 5 mmRemington Rimfire Magnum, 5.45×39 mm Russian family, .22 Short, .22Long, .22 Long Rifle, .22 Stinger, 22 Extra Long, 0.297/230 Morris ExtraLong, .22 Hornet, .22 Rem Automatic, 5.66×39 MPS, .22 Rem Jet, .218 Bee,.219 Zipper, .22 Hornet-K, .220 Swift, .222 Remington, .222 RemingtonMagnum, 0.223 Remington, 5.56×45 mm NATO, 5.7×28 mm, .22 TCM, 5.8×42Chinese, .224 Weatherby Magnum, .225 Winchester, .223 Winchester SuperShort Magnum (Obsolete) .223 Ackley Improved, .219 Donaldson Wasp, 0.221Remington Fireball, 0.22-250 Remington and many more, 0.243 Winchester,0.244 Remington, 6 mm Remington, 6 mm plastic airsoft BBs, 6 mm Whisper,6 mm PPC, 6 mm Bench Rest Remington, 6×45 mm, 6×47 mm, 6 mm Cheetah,0.240 Weatherby, 6×62 Freres, 6 mm Norma BR, 6XC Tubb, 6 mm JDJ, 6 mmSAW, 6-250 Walker, 6.17 Spitfire, 6.17 Flash, 6 mm Lee Navy, and more,0.25 ACP (0.251″), 250/3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06 (0.257″), 0.277,6.5×55 mm, .260 Remington, 26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, .270Winchester, 6.8, 6.8 SPC, .280 Remington, 7 mm-08 Remington, 7 mmRemington Magnum, 7×57 mm Mauser, 7×64 mm, .30 Luger (7.65×21 mm Luger),.30-30 Win, 30 Herrett, .300 Whisper, .30-378 Weatherby, 7.63Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 7.63 Mauser, .30 USA Rimless, .308 Corbon, 0.3-9Savage, .30 Kurz, 300 AAC Blackout (7.62×35 mm), 7.5 mm Schmidt-Rubin,.300 Winchester Magnum, .30 Carbine, 309 JDJ, .30-03, .30-06Springfield, .30-06 JDJ, .307 GNR, .308 Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO),.300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Army (.30-40 Krag), 7.82 mm Lazzeroni, anddozens more, 0.303 British, 7.62×39 mm Soviet, 7.62×54 mmR, 7.62×25 mm,7.7×58 mm, .32 ACP, 8×57 mm IS, 0.325 WSM, 8 mm Remington Magnum, 8 mmplastic (airsoft) BBs, .338 Lapua, .338 Norma Magnum, .338 WinchesterMagnum, 0.338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 9 mm Luger, 9 mm Ultra, 9 mm BayardLong, 9 mm Browning Long, 9 mm Mauser, 9 mm Winchester Magnum, 9 mmGlisenti, 9×21 mm, 9×23 mm Winchester, 9 mm Mi-Bullet, 9 mm Steyr, .356Team Smith & Wesson, 9 mm Federal, 9 mm×25 mm Dillon, 9 mm ActionExpress, .380 ACP (9 mm Short), 9×56 mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 9 mm×57mm Mauser, .38 Super, .38 Special, 0.357 Magnum, .357 SIG, 0.35Remington, 9×18 mm Makarov, 9.3×62 mm, 9.3×64 mm Brenneke, 9.3×72 mmR,9.3×74 mm, .375 H&H Magnum, 9.5×57 mm Mannlicher-Schonauer (0.375Rimless Nitro Express (RNE)×2¼), .40 S&W, 10 mm Auto, .444 Marlin, .44S&W Russian, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .44 Auto Mag, 0.440Cor-Bon, 44/454 JDJ Woodswalker, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .454 Casull, .45 LongColt, .455 Webley, .50 BMG, .50 Action Express, or 12.7×108 mmprojectile.

The present invention provides a method of making a polymeric ammunitioncartridge by providing a polymer ammunition cartridge blank comprisingan unformed top end connected to a cartridge bottom by a polymer middlebody to form a propellant chamber, wherein the unformed top endcomprises a nose end aperture, wherein the cartridge bottom comprises aprimer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface and acoupling element that extends from the bottom surface, a primer recessin the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primerflash hole aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend throughthe bottom surface and a groove in the primer recess positioned aroundthe flash hole aperture, wherein the middle body is overmolded throughthe primer flash hole aperture into the groove; providing a thermal formcomprising a body segment extending to a shoulder segment thattransitions to a neck segment that terminates at a tip segment end and amandrel extendable into the neck segment at the tip segment end; heatingthe thermal form; inserting the unformed top end into the thermal form;extending the mandrel into the nose end aperture; contacting theunformed top end with the tip segment end to form a polymer ammunitioncartridge having a shoulder connected to a neck, wherein the nose endaperture forms a projectile aperture; and removing the polymerammunition cartridge from the thermal form.

The present invention provides a polymeric ammunition cartridge made bythe steps of providing a polymer ammunition cartridge blank comprisingan unformed top end connected to a cartridge bottom by a polymer middlebody to form a propellant chamber, wherein the unformed top endcomprises a nose end aperture, wherein the cartridge bottom comprises aprimer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface and acoupling element that extends from the bottom surface, a primer recessin the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, a primerflash hole aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend throughthe bottom surface and a groove in the primer recess positioned aroundthe flash hole aperture, wherein the middle body is overmolded throughthe primer flash hole aperture into the groove; providing a thermal formcomprising a body segment extending to a shoulder segment thattransitions to a neck segment that terminates at a tip segment end and amandrel extendable into the neck segment at the tip segment end; heatingthe thermal form; inserting the unformed top end into the thermal form;extending the mandrel into the nose end aperture; contacting theunformed top end with the tip segment end to form a polymer ammunitioncartridge having a shoulder connected to a neck, wherein the nose endaperture forms a projectile aperture; removing the polymer ammunitioncartridge from the thermal form.

The present invention provides a single piece polymeric ammunitioncartridge comprising: a primer insert comprising a top surface oppositea bottom surface, a coupling element extending away from the bottomsurface and a primer recess in the top surface that extends toward thebottom surface, a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recessto extend through the bottom surface, and a groove that extendscircumferentially about the primer flash aperture in the primer recess,wherein the groove is adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; and apolymeric single piece body extending from a projectile aperture to aneck region that transitions to a shoulder region that extends toovermold the primer insert, wherein the polymeric single piece bodyextends over the coupling element into the primer flash aperture andinto the groove to form a flash hole.

The present invention provides a single piece polymeric ammunitioncomprising: a primer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottomsurface, a coupling element extending away from the bottom surface and aprimer recess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface,a primer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extendthrough the bottom surface, and a groove that extends circumferentiallyabout the primer flash aperture in the primer recess, wherein the grooveis adapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a polymeric single piecebody extending from a projectile aperture to a neck region thattransitions to a shoulder region that extends to overmold the primerinsert, wherein the polymeric single piece body extends over thecoupling element into the primer flash aperture and into the groove toform a flash hole; a propellant chamber defined between the primer flashaperture and the projectile aperture; a diffuser inserted into theprimer recess; a primer inserted into the primer recess in contact withthe diffuser; a propellant at least partially filling the propellantchamber; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the bullet-endaperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a side, cross-sectional view of a single piece polymericcartridge blank prior to forming the neck and shoulder.

FIG. 2 depicts a partial view of a polymer cartridge illustrating theneck and shoulder relative to the cartridge body.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial view of a polymeric ammunition cartridgeillustrating the relationship between the neck and the shoulder.

FIG. 4 is an image of the thermal form used to take a polymer cartridgeblank and form a one piece polymeric ammunition cartridge.

FIG. 5 is an image of the thermal form with a polymer cartridge blankformed into a one piece polymeric ammunition cartridge.

FIGS. 6a-6m depict a side, cross-sectional view of a bullet-endcomponent of the polymeric cartridge casino illustrating varioustextured surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention.

Reliable cartridge manufacture requires uniformity from one cartridge tothe next in order to obtain consistent ballistic performance. Amongother considerations, proper bullet seating and bullet-to-casing fit isrequired. In this manner, a desired pressure develops within the casingduring firing prior to bullet and casing separation. Historically,bullets employ a cannelure, which is a slight annular depression formedin a surface of the bullet at a location determined to be the optimalseating depth for the bullet. In this manner, a visual inspection of acartridge could determine whether or not the bullet is seated at theproper depth. Once the bullet is inserted into the casing to the properdepth, one of two standard procedures are incorporated to lock thebullet in its proper location. One method is the crimping of the entireend of the casing into the cannelure. A second method does not crimp thecasing end; rather the bullet is pressure fitted into the casing andoptionally contacted with adhesive.

As used herein, the term “ammunition”, “ammunition article”, “munition”,and “munition article” as used herein may be used interchangeably torefer to a complete, assembled round or cartridge that is ready to beloaded into a firearm and fired, including cap, casing, propellant,projectile, etc. Ammunition may be a live round fitted with aprojectile, or a blank round with no projectile and may also be othertypes such as non-lethal rounds, rounds containing rubber bullets,rounds containing multiple projectiles (shot), and rounds containingprojectiles other than bullets such as fluid-filled canisters, tracers,armor piercing, incendiary or capsules. Ammunition may be any caliber ofpistol or rifle ammunition. The projectile may have any profile butgenerally has an aerodynamic streamlined shape at the head and at thetail, e.g., sabot, spritzer, flat base spritzer, boat tail spritzer,tapered-heel spritzer, rounded nose, rounded nose flat base, roundednose boat tail, rounded nose tapered-heel, flat nose, flat nose flatbase, flat nose boat tail, flat nose tapered-heel, hollow point, hollowpoint boat tail, hollow point flat base, hollow point tapered-heel andso on. Although any head shape can be used, more common shapes includespritzer shape, round, conical, frustoconical, blunted, wadcutter, orhollow point, and the more common tail shape includes flat base, boattail, tapered-heel expanded bases or banded bases. The bullets of thepresent invention may have any profile and weight dictated by theparticular application. For example, the method and bullets of thepresent invention may be used in full metal jacket metal cased and fullmetal jacket both refer to bullets with a metal coating that covers allof, or all but the base of a bullet; metal cased (e.g., as used byREMINGTON® to refer to their full metal jacketed bullets); hollow pointbullets have a concave shaped tip that facilitates rapid expansion ofthe round upon impact; boat tail bullets have a streamlined base tofacilitate better aerodynamics; boat tail hollow point; full metaljacketed boat tail; point jacketed hollow point bullets are similar indesign to regular hollow point bullets, but have a copper jacket thatnormally covers everything but the hollowed portion of the round;jacketed flat point rounds have a flat area of exposed lead at the tip;jacketed soft point bullets usually have a spire pointed tip of exposedlead. Jacketed spitzer point can refer to a jacketed spitzer point;spitzer meaning a sharply pointed bullet; jacketed round nose jacketedround nose bullets split the difference between jacketed flat point andjacketed spitzer point bullets and have a rounded tip of exposed leadboat tail soft point sometimes the letters in the acronyms are switched,so boat tail soft point may also be abbreviated as soft point boat tail.Expanding full metal jacketed rounds appear as and feed like a regularfull metal jacket bullet, but have a construction that allows the caseto collapse and the bullet to flatten upon impact. Wad cutter designsoften appear to be nothing more than a cylinder, usually with a hollowbase which is used in target practice to punch neat holes in the paper,rather than the ragged holes produced by more rounded designs. Semi wadcutter bullets have a rounded nose that comes down to a cylinder that isslightly larger than the rounded section, giving the bullet a moreaerodynamic shape while allowing it to punch clean holes in papertargets. Rounded flat point bullets have a flat tip that is smaller thanthe bullet diameter and rounded shoulders. Armor piercing ammunition canhave bullets with a variety of shapes, though in general they are spirepointed and full metal jacketed rounds that have a strong core designedto penetrate armor. Armor piercing incendiary ammunition has the samepenetrating abilities of armor piercing bullets, but with the addedfunction of bursting into an intense flame upon impact. Frangibleammunition are characterized by a design that facilitates the rapidbreakup of the bullet upon impact, thus, reducing the chances ofover-penetration or a ricochet. Exploding ammunition includes delayedand aerial/above ground exploding ammunition plus ammunition that canpenetrate an objective and have a delay before exploding afterpenetrating. Also included are jacketed designs where the core materialis a very hard, high-density metal such as tungsten, tungsten carbide,depleted uranium, or steel.

As used herein, the terms “ammunition cartridge,” “cartridge,” “casing”and “case” and “body” are used interchangeably (e.g., “cartridgecasing”, “cartridge case” and “casing body”) to refer to the portion ofthe ammunition that remains intact after firing and includes thepropellant chamber. A cartridge may be one-piece, two-piece, three pieceor multi-piece design that includes a mouth at one end and a primerinsert at the other separated by a propellant chamber. The cartridges,therefore, are of a caliber between about .05 and about 8 inches. Thus,the present invention is also applicable to the sporting goods industryfor use by hunters and target shooters. The present invention includesbut is not limited to the following caliber families: .172 or 4 mmincludes but is not limited to .17 HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 Ackley Hornet,.17 Winchester Super Magnum, .17-32 Magnum, .17 VHA, .17 Remington,.17/222, .17 Mach .17 Ackley Improved Bee, .17-357 RG, .17 RemingtonFireball, .17 Incinerator, 4.39×39R mm SPS; the caliber family .20, .204or 5 mm; the caliber family .204 Ruger, 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum;The caliber family .221 or 5.45 mm includes but is not limited to5.45×39 mm Russian family; The caliber family .22 or 5.6 mm includes butis not limited to .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle, .22 Stinger, 22Extra Long, 0.297/230 Morris Extra Long, .22 Hornet, .22 Rem Automatic,5.66×39 MPS, .22 Rem Jet; The caliber family .224 or 5.7 mm includes butis not limited to .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .22 Hornet-K, .220 Swift, .222Remington, .222 Remington Magnum, .223 Remington, 5.56×45 mm NATO,5.7×28 mm, .22 TCM, 5.8×42 Chinese, .224 Weatherby Magnum, .225Winchester, .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (Obsolete) .223 AckleyImproved, 0.219 Donaldson Wasp, 0.221 Remington Fireball, 0.22-250Remington and many more; The caliber family .243 or 6 mm; The caliberfamily .243 Winchester, 0.244 Remington, 6 mm Remington, 6 mm plasticairsoft BBs, 6 mm Whisper, 6 mm PPC, 6 mm Bench Rest Remington, 6×45 mm,6×47 mm, 6 mm Cheetah, 0.240 Weatherby, 6×62 Freres, 6 mm Norma BR, 6XCTubb, 6 mm JDJ, 6 mm SAW, 6-250 Walker, 6.17 Spitfire, 6.17 Flash, 6 mmLee Navy, and more, The caliber family .25 or 6.35 mm includes but isnot limited to 0.25 ACP (0.251″), 250/3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06(0.257″), The caliber family .26 or 6.5 mm includes but is not limitedto 6.5×55 mm, .260 Remington, 26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua;The caliber family .27 or 6.8 mm includes but is not limited to .270Winchester, 6.8 SPC; The caliber family .284 or 7 mm; The caliber family.280 Remington, 7 mm-08 Remington, 7 mm Remington Magnum, 7×57 mmMauser, 7×64 mm; The caliber family .308 or 7.62 mm includes but is notlimited to .30 Luger (7.65×21 mm Luger), .30-30 Win, 30 Herrett, .300Whisper, .30-378 Weatherby, 7.63 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 7.63 Mauser, .30USA Rimless, .308 Corbon, 0.3-9 Savage, .30 Kurz, 300 AAC Blackout(7.62×35 mm), 7.5 mm Schmidt-Rubin, .300 Winchester Magnum, .30 Carbine,309 JDJ, .30-03, .30-06 Springfield, .30-06 JDJ, .307 GNR, .308Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO), .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Army (.30-40Krag), 7.82 mm Lazzeroni, and dozens more; The caliber family .311 or7.9 mm includes but is not limited to .303 British, 7.62×39 mm Soviet,7.62×54 mmR, 7.62×25 mm, 7.7×58 mm; The caliber family .312 or 7.94 mmincludes but is not limited to .32 ACP; The caliber family .323 or 8 mm;8×57 mm IS, 0.325 WSM, 8 mm Remington Magnum, 8 mm plastic (airsoft)BBs; The caliber family .338 or 8.6 mm includes but is not limited to0.338 Lapua, .338 Norma Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, 0.338-378Weatherby Magnum; The caliber family .355 or 9 mm includes but is notlimited to 9 mm Luger, 9 mm Ultra, 9 mm Bayard Long, 9 mm Browning Long,9 mm Mauser, 9 mm Winchester Magnum, 9 mm Glisenti, 9×21 mm, 9×23 mmWinchester, 9 mm Mi-Bullet, 9 mm Steyr, .356 Team Smith & Wesson, 9 mmFederal, 9 mm×25 mm Dillon, 9 mm Action Express; The caliber family .356or 9 mm includes but is not limited to .380 ACP (9 mm Short), 9×56 mmMannlicher-Schoenauer, 9 mm×57 mm Mauser; The caliber family .357 or 9mm; The caliber family .38 Super, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .357 SIG,0.35 Remington; The caliber family .363 or 9 mm includes but is notlimited to 9×18 mm Makarov; The caliber family .365 or 9.3 mm includesbut is not limited to 9.3×62 mm, 9.3×64 mm Brenneke, 9.3×72 mmR, 9.3×74mmR; The caliber family .375 or 9.5 mm includes but is not limited to.375 H&H Magnum, 9.5×57 mm Mannlicher-Schönauer (.375 Rimless NitroExpress (RNE)×2¼); The caliber family .40 or 10 mm; The caliber family.40 S&W, 10 mm Auto, The caliber family .44 or 10.9 mm includes but isnot limited to .444 Marlin, .44 S&W Russian, .44 S&W Special, .44Remington Magnum, .44 Auto Mag, 0.440 Cor-Bon, .44/454 JDJ Woodswalker;The caliber family .45 or 11.43 mm includes but is not limited to .45ACP, .45 GAP, .454 Casull, .45 Long Colt, .455 Webley; The caliberfamily .50 or 12.7 mm includes but is not limited to .50 BMG, .50 ActionExpress, 12.7×108 mm

FIG. 1 depicts a side, cross-sectional view of a polymeric cartridgeblank 10 prior to being formed into a polymeric ammunition cartridge. Acartridge blank 10 is formed by overmolding a polymer over the primerinsert and into a case having a case length that is longer then the caselength of a finished ammunition cartridge to allow for forming theshoulder (not shown) and neck (not shown). After the neck and shoulderare formed the cartridge blank 10 will have the same case length as abrass case or a two piece polymer case. The polymeric cartridge blank 10includes an unformed top region 12 having a nose end aperture 14 thatextends to a middle body component 16 that houses a propellant chamber18 to an overmolded primer insert 20. The unformed top end 12 will beformed into the neck (not shown) and shoulder (not shown) and extends toa middle body component 16. The middle body component 16 typically has awall thickness between about 0.003 and about 0.200 inches and morepreferably between about 0.005 and more preferably between about 0.150inches about 0.010 and about 0.050 inches. The middle body component 16is molded over the primer insert 20. The primer insert 20 includes aninsert coupling element 22 extending from a coupling tip 24 to a bottomsurface 26 which is opposite a top surface 28. Located in the topsurface 28 is a primer recess 30 that extends toward the bottom surface26. Upon overmolding, the polymer material of the middle body component16 is molded over the coupling element 22 and the coupling tip 24 toengage the insert coupling element 22 on both the inside and outside. Aprimer flash hole aperture 32 is located in the primer recess 30 andextends through the bottom surface 26 into the propellant chamber 18. Aflash hole groove 34 is positioned around the primer flash hole aperture32 in the primer recess 30. When overmolded the middle body component 16extends over the coupling tip 24 into the primer flash hole aperture 32and into the flash hole groove 34 to form a flash hole 36. The flashhole 36 is a polymer coating over the primer flash hole aperture 32 thatallows passage from the primer recess 30 to the propellant chamber 18.The primer insert 20 includes an extraction flange 38 to allow theextraction of the cartridge from the chamber (not shown). The insertcoupling element 22, as shown may be configured as a male element;however, all combinations of male and female configurations areacceptable and the insert coupling element 22 may be if any length. Theflash hole groove 34 may extend partially or entirely along the bottomof the primer recess 30. In other embodiments, the flash hole groove 34may extend partially or entirely along the side wall of the primerrecess 30 to allow the overmolded polymer to extend into the flash holegroove 34 that extend partially or entirely along the side wall of theprimer recess 30. In one embodiment, the overmolded polymer may extendpartially or entirely along the bottom of the primer recess 30 orpartially or entirely along the side wall of the primer recess 30. Theprimer recess 30 is sized so as to receive a primer (not shown) in aninterference fit during assembly. The primer recess 30 is adapted andsized to allow the positioning of a diffuser (not shown) between thebottom of the primer recess 30 and the primer (not shown) while stillallowing proper fitting and operation of the primer (not shown). Thediffuser is a diffusion device positioned between the primer bottom andthe bottom of the primer recess. The diffuser may be a ring fitted tothe primer recess and may be a thickness that is sufficient to diffusethe forces. The primer flash hole 36 communicates through the bottomsurface 26 of primer insert 20 into the propellant chamber 18 so thatupon detonation of primer (not shown) the powder in propellant chamber18 will be ignited.

The polymeric cartridge blank 10 extends longer than a finishedammunition cartridge to allow the neck and shoulder to be formed andreduce the case length. To form the neck and shoulder the polymericcartridge blank 10 is inserted into a die that is configured to have thedesired shoulder angle, shoulder length, neck length and neck thickness.The shoulder neck parameters are shown in a FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 depicts a one piece polymeric ammunition cartridge 40 formed fromthe polymer cartridge blank (not shown) having a neck and a shoulder.When formed into an ammunition cartridge 40 the unformed top end 12includes a projectile aperture 42 at the rim 44 that extends to a neck46 that transitions to a shoulder 48. The neck 46 is opposite theinternal neck 50 which may include texturing 52. The texturing 52 mayindependently include one or more selected from etching, grooves,hatching, knurling, a texture, rings, and free formed textures. Afterthe neck (not shown) and shoulder (not shown) are formed the polymericammunition cartridge 40 has the same case length as a brass case or atwo piece polymeric ammunition case. The polymeric cartridge blank 10includes a nose end aperture 14 that extends to a middle body 16 whichforms a propellant chamber 18 that extends to an overmolded primerinsert 20. The unformed top end has been formed into the neck 46 andshoulder 48 and extends from the nose end aperture 14 rearward to amiddle body component 16. The middle body component 16 is molded overthe primer insert 20. The primer insert 20 includes an insert couplingelement 22 extending from a coupling tip 24 to a bottom surface 26 whichis opposite a top surface 28. Located in the top surface 28 is a primerrecess 30 that extends toward the bottom surface 26. Upon overmolding,the polymer material of the middle body component 16 is molded over thecoupling end 22 and the coupling tip 24 to engage the insert couplingelement 22 on both the inside and outside. A primer flash hole aperture32 is located in the primer recess 30 and extends through the bottomsurface 26 into the propellant chamber 18. A flash hole groove 34 ispositioned around the primer flash hole aperture 32 in the primer recess30. When overmolded the middle body component 16 extends over thecoupling tip 24 into the primer flash hole aperture 32 and into theflash hole groove 34 to form a flash hole 36. The flash hole 36 is apolymer coating over the primer flash hole aperture 32 and allowspassage from the primer recess 30 to the propellant chamber 18. Theprimer insert 20 includes an extraction flange 38 to allow theextraction of the polymeric ammunition cartridge 40 from the chamber(not shown). Insert coupling element 22, as shown may be configured as amale element; however, all combinations of male and femaleconfigurations is acceptable and the insert coupling element 22 may beif any length. The flash hole groove 34 may extend partially or entirelyalong the bottom of the primer recess 30. In other embodiments, theflash hole groove 34 may extend partially or entirely along the sidewall of the primer recess 30 to allow the overmolded polymer to extendinto the flash hole groove 34 that extend partially or entirely alongthe side wall of the primer recess 30. In one embodiment, the overmoldedpolymer may extend partially or entirely along the bottom of the primerrecess 30 or partially or entirely along the side wall of the primerrecess 30. The primer recess 30 is sized so as to receive the primer(not shown) in an interference fit during assembly. The primer recess 30is adapted and sized to allow the positioning of a diffuser 54 betweenthe bottom of the primer recess 30 and the primer (not shown) whilestill allowing proper fitting and operation of the primer (not shown).The primer flash hole 36 communicates through the bottom surface 26 ofprimer insert 20 into the propellant chamber 18 so that upon detonationof primer (not shown) the powder in propellant chamber 18 will beignited.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial view of a polymeric ammunition cartridge 40illustrating the relationship between the neck 46 and the shoulder 48.The polymeric ammunition cartridge 40 includes a projectile aperture 42at the rim 44 that extends to a neck 46 that transitions to the shoulder48. The neck 46 is opposite the internal neck 50 which may includetexturing 52. The unformed top end 12 is formed into a neck 46 thatextends to a shoulder 48 that transitions to the middle body component16. The shoulder 48 and the neck 46 are a fixed dimension as requires bythe chamber (not shown) in which they fit. The neck 46 is defined by aneck length 56 which is defined from the rim 44 to the neck-shouldertransition 58. The shoulder 48 extends from the neck-shoulder transition58 to the shoulder bottom 60. The shoulder length 62 is defined as thelength from the neck-shoulder transition 58 to the shoulder bottom 60.The angle between the neck 46 and the shoulder 48 defines an externalshoulder angle 64. The relationship between the neck length 56, theshoulder length 62 and the external shoulder angle 64 are fixeddimensions for a given ammunition caliber that are required for thepolymer ammunition cartridge 40 to fit into the chamber (not shown). Asa result, the neck length 56, the shoulder length 62 and the externalshoulder angle 64 have fixed values to mate them to the chamber and arecaliber ammunition and weapons platform specific, which is readily tothe skilled artisan from Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers'Institute and/or military sources.

The present invention uses a mold (also called a form, jig, die, thermaldie, thermal form, thermal jig, or shape) to convert a polymerammunition cartridge blank into a polymer ammunition cartridge byforming a neck and shoulder in the polymer ammunition cartridge blank.The thermal mold is heated to transfer heat to the polymer ammunitioncartridge blank which in turn allows the forming of the neck andshoulder in the polymer ammunition cartridge blank. The heat range maybe any temperature range from 10 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsiusdepending on the specific polymer and may be ramped at any thermalgradient necessary to form the neck and shoulder in the polymerammunition cartridge blank. In addition, the thermal mold may beconstructed of multiple portions that are connected to form a singlethermal mold. This may be in the form of vertical segments or horizontalsegments, e.g., the cartridge cavity, the shoulder segment and the necksegment may be separate segments that are connected to form the thermalmold or the thermal mold may be divided into a left thermal mold segmenthaving a cartridge cavity, the shoulder segment and the neck segment anda right thermal mold segment having a cartridge cavity, the shouldersegment and the neck segment that are connected to form a single thermalmold.

FIG. 4 is an image of the thermal form used to take a polymer cartridgeblank and form it into a one piece polymeric ammunition cartridge (notshown). The form body 65 includes a cartridge cavity 66 that is adaptedto accept a polymer cartridge blank 10. The cartridge cavity 66 includesa body segment 68 having a body segment diameter 70. The cartridgecavity 66 includes a shoulder segment 72 connected to the body segment68. The shoulder segment 72 includes a shoulder segment length 74defined from the body segment transition 76 to the neck segmenttransition 78. The shoulder segment angle 80 is defined as the angleformed between the body segment 68 and the shoulder segment 72. Thecartridge cavity 66 includes a neck segment 82 connected to the shouldersegment 72. The neck segment 82 includes a neck segment length 84 and aneck segment diameter 85 that extends from the neck segment transition78 to the neck segment end 86. The nose segment end 86 extends to thetip segment end 88 to define the neck thickness. The projectile aperturediameter 90 is adapted to fit a projectile (not shown) and is defined asthe length separating tip segment end 88. A mandrel 92 having a mandreldiameter 94 that is less than the projectile aperture diameter 90 allowsthe movement of the mandrel 92 into the neck segment 82 to form theprojectile aperture (not shown) in the polymeric ammunition cartridge(not shown). The form body 65 includes a cartridge cavity 66 that isadapted to accept a polymer cartridge blank (not shown) to form theshoulder (not shown) and neck (not shown) into a polymeric ammunitioncartridge (not shown). The form body 65 adjusts the body segmentdiameter 70, the shoulder segment length 74 in conjunction with the necksegment diameter 85 and neck segment length 84 to define a mold/formshape that corresponds to the desired ammunition cartridge, e.g., .17HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 Ackley Hornet, .17 Winchester Super Magnum, .17-32Magnum, .17 VHA, .17 Remington, .17/222, .17 Mach .17 Ackley ImprovedBee, .17-357 RG, .17 Remington Fireball, .17 Incinerator, 4.39×39RmmSPS, 0.204 Ruger, 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum, 5.45×39 mm Russianfamily, .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle, .22 Stinger, 22 Extra Long,0.297/230 Morris Extra Long, .22 Hornet, .22 Rem Automatic, 5.66×39 MPS,.22 Rem Jet, .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .22 Hornet-K, .220 Swift, 0.222Remington, .222 Remington Magnum, .223 Remington, 5.56×45 mm NATO,5.7×28 mm, .22 TCM, 5.8×42 Chinese, .224 Weatherby Magnum, .225Winchester, .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum (Obsolete) .223 AckleyImproved, .219 Donaldson Wasp, 0.221 Remington Fireball, 0.22-250Remington and many more, .243 Winchester, 0.244 Remington, 6 mmRemington, 6 mm plastic airsoft BBs, 6 mm Whisper, 6 mm PPC, 6 mm BenchRest Remington, 6×45 mm, 6×47 mm, 6 mm Cheetah, 0.240 Weatherby, 6×62Freres, 6 mm Norma BR, 6XC Tubb, 6 mm JDJ, 6 mm SAW, 6-250 Walker, 6.17Spitfire, 6.17 Flash, 6 mm Lee Navy, and more, 0.25 ACP (0.251″),250/3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06 (0.257″), 6.5×55 mm, .260 Remington,26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, .270 Winchester, 6.8 SPC, .280Remington, 7 mm-08 Remington, 7 mm Remington Magnum, 7×57 mm Mauser,7×64 mm, .30 Luger (7.65×21 mm Luger), .30-30 Win, 30 Herrett, .300Whisper, .30-378 Weatherby, 7.63 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 7.63 Mauser, .30USA Rimless, .308 Corbon, 0.3-9 Savage, .30 Kurz, 300 AAC Blackout(7.62×35 mm), 7.5 mm Schmidt-Rubin, .300 Winchester Magnum, .30 Carbine,309 JDJ, .30-03, .30-06 Springfield, .30-06 JDJ, 0.307 GNR, .308Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO), .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Army (.30-40Krag), 7.82 mm Lazzeroni, and dozens more, .303 British, 7.62×39 mmSoviet, 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×25 mm, 7.7×58 mm, .32 ACP, 8×57 mm IS, 0.325WSM, 8 mm Remington Magnum, 8 mm plastic (airsoft) BBs, .338 Lapua, .338Norma Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, 0.338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 9 mmLuger, 9 mm Ultra, 9 mm Bayard Long, 9 mm Browning Long, 9 mm Mauser, 9mm Winchester Magnum, 9 mm Glisenti, 9×21 mm, 9×23 mm Winchester, 9 mmMi-Bullet, 9 mm Steyr, .356 Team Smith & Wesson, 9 mm Federal, 9 mm×25mm Dillon, 9 mm Action Express, .380 ACP (9 mm Short), 9×56 mmMannlicherSchoenauer, 9 mm×57 mm Mauser, .38 Super, .38 Special, .357Magnum, .357 SIG, 0.35 Remington, 9×18 mm Makarov, 9.3×62 mm, 9.3×64 mmBrenneke, 9.3×72mmR, 9.3×74 mm, .375 H&H Magnum, 9.5×57 mm MannlicherSchonauer (.375 Rimless Nitro Express (RNE)×2 1/4), .40 S&W, 10 mm Auto,.444 Marlin, .44 S&W Russian, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .44Auto Mag, 0.440 Cor-Bon, 44/454 JDJ Woodswalker, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .454Casull, .45 Long Colt, .455 Webley, .50 BMG, .50 Action Express,12.7×108 mm and variations thereof.

FIG. 5 is an image of the thermal form with a polymer cartridge blankformed into a one piece polymeric ammunition cartridge. The form body 65includes a cartridge cavity 66 that is adapted to accept a polymercartridge blank. The cartridge cavity 66 includes a body segment 68having a body segment diameter 70. The cartridge cavity 66 includes ashoulder segment 72 connected to the body segment 68. The shouldersegment 72 includes a shoulder segment length 74 defined from the bodysegment transition 76 to the neck segment transition 78. The shouldersegment angle 80 is defined as the angle formed between the body segment68 and the shoulder segment 72. The cartridge cavity 66 includes a necksegment 82 connected to the shoulder segment 72. The neck segment 82includes a neck segment length 84 and a neck segment diameter 85 thatextends from the neck segment transition 78 to the nose segment end 86.The nose segment end 86 extends to the tip segment end 88 to define theneck thickness. The projectile aperture diameter 90 is adapted to fit aprojectile and is defined as the length separating tip segment end 88. Amandrel 92 having a mandrel diameter 94 that is less than the projectileaperture diameter 90 allows the mandrel 92 to move into the neck segment82 to form the projectile aperture in the polymeric ammunitioncartridge. The form body 65 includes a cartridge cavity 66 that isadapted to accept a polymer cartridge blank (not shown) and forms theshoulder and neck into a polymeric ammunition cartridge by pressing thepolymer cartridge blank into the form body 65. The polymer cartridgeblank adapts to the shape of the form body 65 to form a polymericammunition cartridge 40. The polymeric ammunition cartridge 40 includesa projectile aperture 42 at the rim 44 that extends to a neck 46 thattransitions to the shoulder 48. The neck 46 is opposite the internalneck 50 which may include texturing (not shown). The unformed top end isformed into a neck 46 that extends to a shoulder that transitions to themiddle body component 16. The neck 46 is defined by a neck length 56which is defined from the rim 44 to the neck-shoulder transition 58. Theshoulder 48 extends from the neck-shoulder transition 58 to the shoulderbottom 60. The shoulder length 62 is defined as the length from theneck-shoulder transition 58 to the shoulder bottom 60. The angle betweenthe neck 46 and the shoulder 48 defines an external shoulder angle 64.The relationship between the neck length 56, the shoulder length 62 andthe external shoulder angle 64 are fixed dimension for a givenammunition caliber that are required for the polymer ammunitioncartridge 40 to fit into the chamber (not shown). As a result, the necklength 56, the shoulder length 62 and the external shoulder angle 64have fixed values to mate them to the chamber and are caliber ammunitionand weapons platform. The form body 65 adjusts the body segment diameter70, the shoulder segment length 74 in conjunction with the neck segmentdiameter 85 and neck segment length 84 to define the mold/form shapethat corresponds to the desired ammunition cartridge 40 in the specificcaliber, e.g., .17 HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 Ackley Hornet, .17 WinchesterSuper Magnum, .17-32 Magnum, .17 VHA, .17 Remington, .17/222, .17 Mach.17 Ackley Improved Bee, .17-357 RG, .17 Remington Fireball, .17Incinerator, 4.39×39Rmm SPS, 0.204 Ruger, 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum,5.45×39 mm Russian family, .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle, .22Stinger, 22 Extra Long, 0.297/230 Morris Extra Long, .22 Hornet, .22 RemAutomatic, 5.66×39 MPS, .22 Rem Jet, 0.218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .22Hornet-K, .220 Swift, .222 Remington, .222 Remington Magnum, 0.223Remington, 5.56×45 mm NATO, 5.7×28 mm, .22 TCM, 5.8×42 Chinese, .224Weatherby Magnum, .225 Winchester, .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum(Obsolete) .223 Ackley Improved, .219 Donaldson Wasp, 0.221 RemingtonFireball, 0.22-250 Remington and many more, .243 Winchester, 0.244Remington, 6 mm Remington, 6 mm plastic airsoft BBs, 6 mm Whisper, 6 mmPPC, 6 mm Bench Rest Remington, 6×45 mm, 6×47 mm, 6 mm Cheetah, 0.240Weatherby, 6×62 Freres, 6 mm Norma BR, 6XC Tubb, 6 mm JDJ, 6 mm SAW,6-250 Walker, 6.17 Spitfire, 6.17 Flash, 6 mm Lee Navy, and more, 0.25ACP (0.251″), 250/3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06 (0.257″), 6.5×55 mm,.260 Remington, 26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, .270 Winchester,6.8 SPC, .280 Remington, 7 mm-08 Remington, 7 mm Remington Magnum, 7×57mm Mauser, 7×64 mm, .30 Luger (7.65×21 mm Luger), .30-30 Win, 30Herrett, .300 Whisper, .30-378 Weatherby, 7.63 Mannlicher-Schoenauer,7.63 Mauser, .30 USA Rimless, .308 Corbon, 0.3-9 Savage, .30 Kurz, 300AAC Blackout (7.62×35 mm), 7.5 mm Schmidt-Rubin, .300 Winchester Magnum,.30 Carbine, 309 JDJ, .30-03, .30-06 Springfield, .30-06 JDJ, .307 GNR,.308 Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO), .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Army(.30-40 Krag), 7.82 mm Lazzeroni, and dozens more, .303 British, 7.62×39mm Soviet, 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×25 mm, 7.7×58 mm, .32 ACP, 8×57 mm IS, 0.325WSM, 8 mm Remington Magnum, 8 mm plastic (airsoft) BBs, .338 Lapua, .338Norma Magnum, .338 Winchester Magnum, 0.338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 9 mmLuger, 9 mm Ultra, 9 mm Bayard Long, 9 mm Browning Long, 9 mm Mauser, 9mm Winchester Magnum, 9 mm Glisenti, 9×21 mm, 9×23 mm Winchester, 9 mmMi-Bullet, 9 mm Steyr, .356 Team Smith & Wesson, 9 mm Federal, 9 mm×25mm Dillon, 9 mm Action Express, .380 ACP (9 mm Short), 9×56 mmMannlicher-Schoenauer, 9 mm×57 mm Mauser, .38 Super, .38 Special, .357Magnum, .357 SIG, 0.35 Remington, 9×18 mm Makarov, 9.3×62 mm, 9.3×64 mmBrenneke, 9.3×72mmR, 9.3×74 mm, .375 H&H Magnum, 9.5×57 mmMannlicher-Schonauer (.375 Rimless Nitro Express (RNE)×2 1/4), .40 S&W,10 mm Auto, .444 Marlin, .44 S&W Russian, .44 S&W Special, .44 RemingtonMagnum, .44 Auto Mag, 0.440 Cor-Bon, 44/454 JDJ Woodswalker, .45 ACP,.45 GAP, .454 Casull, .45 Long Colt, .455 Webley, .50 BMG, .50 ActionExpress, 12.7×108 mm and variations thereof. In addition, the polymercartridge blank may be pressurized or cooled by gas when the polymercartridge blank is in the thermal form. The polymer cartridge blank maybe cooled or pressurized by inputting gas through the primer recess.When the mandrel is in place the polymer cartridge blank may bepressurized through the addition of gas through the primer pocket.Similarly, the mandrel may be cooled with a fluid or a gas alone or incombination with the gas flow or pressurization of the polymer cartridgeblank. In some instances, the pressurization may be operated in the formof blow molding. The polymer cartridge blank may be placed in the formwhile pressured and formed into a polymer cartridge ammunition blank.

FIGS. 6a-6m depicts a side, cross-sectional view of a bullet-endcomponent of the polymeric cartridge casing illustrating varioustextured surface 71. FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6g depict a side, cross-sectionalview of a bullet-end component of the polymeric cartridge casingillustrating groove textured surface. FIG. 6c depict a side,cross-sectional view of a bullet-end component of the polymericcartridge casing illustrating a hatching or knurling textured surface.FIG. 6d depict a side, cross-sectional view of a bullet-end component ofthe polymeric cartridge casing illustrating a ring textured surface.FIGS. 6e, 6f, 6h, 6i, 6j, and 6k depict a side, cross-sectional view ofa bullet-end component of the polymeric cartridge casing illustrating afree formed textured surface.

The primer insert includes an individual upper primer insert portion andlower primer insert portion that may be in the form of 1, 2, or 3 insertpieces connected to form a primer insert. The primer insert and (when inmultiple portions) the primer insert portion each may be independentlyformed by molding, injection molding, metal injection molding, coldforming, forming, milling, machining, additive manufacturing, printing,3D printing, or a combination thereof. For example, when the primerinsert or the individual upper primer insert portion and lower primerinsert portion are metal injection molded, the raw materials are metalpowders and a thermoplastic binder. There are at least two bindersincluded in the blend, a primary binder and a secondary binder. Thisblended powder mix is worked into the plasticized binder at elevatedtemperature in a kneader or shear roll extruder. The intermediateproduct is the so-called feedstock. It is usually granulated withgranule sizes of several millimeters. In metal injection molding, onlythe binders are heated up, and that is how the metal is carried into themold cavity. In preparing a feedstock, it is important first to measurethe actual density of each lot of both the metal powders and binders.This is extremely important especially for the metal powders in thateach lot will be different based on the actual chemistry of that gradeof powder. For example, 316L is comprised of several elements, such asFe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, P, Si, S and C. In order to be rightfully called a316L, each of these elements must meet a minimum and maximum percentageweight requirement as called out in the relevant specification. Hencethe variation in the chemistry within the specification results in asignificant density variation within the acceptable composition range.Depending on the lot received from the powder producer, the density willvary depending on the actual chemistry received. The insert regardlessof method of manufacturing may comprise metals, alloys, polymers orcombinations thereof, e.g., low alloy steels 2200, 2700, 4605, 316L,420, 430L, 17-4, 17-4PH, 17-7, F15, Fe-3% Si, Fe-50% Ni, and Fe-50% Co.In addition to the specific metal compositions may include commoncommercial designations e.g., C-0000 Copper and Copper Alloys;CFTG-3806-K Diluted Bronze Bearings; CNZ-1818 Copper and Copper Alloys;CNZP-1816 Copper and Copper Alloys; CT-1000 Copper and Copper Alloys;CT-1000-K Bronze Bearings; CTG-1001-K Bronze Bearings; CTG-1004-K BronzeBearings; CZ-1000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZ-2000 Copper and CopperAlloys; CZ-3000 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZP-1002 Copper and CopperAlloys; CZP-2002 Copper and Copper Alloys; CZP-3002 Copper and CopperAlloys; F-0000 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0000-K Iron and Iron-CarbonBearings; F-0005 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0005-K Iron and Iron-CarbonBearings; F-0008 Iron and Carbon Steel; F-0008-K Iron and Iron-CarbonBearings; FC-0200 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0200-K Iron-CopperBearings; FC-0205 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0205-KIron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0208 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel;FC-0208-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0505 Iron-Copper and CopperSteel; FC-0508 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-0508-KIron-Copper-Carbon Bearings; FC-0808 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel;FC-1000 Iron-Copper and Copper Steel; FC-1000-K Iron-Copper Bearings;FC-2000-K Iron-Copper Bearings; FC-2008-K Iron-Copper-Carbon Bearings;FCTG-3604-K Diluted Bronze Bearings; FD-0200 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel;FD-0205 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0208 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel;FD-0400 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FD-0405 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel;FD-0408 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FF-0000 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FG-0303-KIron-Graphite Bearings; FG-0308-K Iron-Graphite Bearings; FL-4005Pre-alloyed Steel; FL-4205 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4400 Prealloyed Steel;FL-4405 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4605 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4805 PrealloyedSteel; FL-48105 Prealloyed Steel; FL-4905 Prealloyed Steel; FL-5208Prealloyed Steel; FL-5305 Prealloyed Steel; FLC-4608 Sinter-HardenedSteel; FLC-4805 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC-48108 Sinter-Hardened Steel;FLC-4908 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLC2-4808 Sinter-Hardened Steel;FLDN2-4908 Diffusion-Alloyed Steel; FLDN4C2-4905 Diffusion-AlloyedSteel; FLN-4205 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN-48108 Sinter-Hardened Steel;FLN2-4400 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN2-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel;FLN2-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel; FLN2C-4005 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel;FLN4-4400 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN4-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel;FLN4-4408 Sinter Hardened Steel; FLN4C-4005 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel;FLN6-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLN6-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel;FLNC-4405 Hybrid Low-Alloy Steel; FLNC-4408 Sinter-Hardened Steel;FN-0200 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0205 Iron-Nickel and NickelSteel; FN-0208 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-0405 Iron-Nickel andNickel Steel; FN-0408 Iron-Nickel and Nickel Steel; FN-5000Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FS-0300 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; FX-1000Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-1005 Copper-Infiltrated Iron andSteel; FX-1008 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-2000Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FX-2005 Copper-Infiltrated Iron andSteel; FX-2008 Copper-Infiltrated Iron and Steel; FY-4500 Soft-MagneticAlloys; FY-8000 Soft-Magnetic Alloys; P/F-1020 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-1040Carbon Steel PF; P/F-1060 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-10C40 Copper Steel PF;P/F-10050 Copper Steel PF; P/F-10060 Copper Steel PF; P/F-1140 CarbonSteel PF; P/F-1160 Carbon Steel PF; P/F-11C40 Copper Steel PF; P/F-11050Copper Steel PF; P/F-11060 Copper Steel PF; P/F-4220 Low-Alloy P/F-42XXSteel PF; P/F-4240 Low-Alloy P/F-42XX Steel PF; P/F-4260 Low-AlloyP/F-42XX Steel PF; P/F-4620 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; P/F-4640Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; P/F-4660 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF;P/F-4680 Low-Alloy P/F-46XX Steel PF; SS-303L Stainless Steel—300 SeriesAlloy; SS-303N1 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-303N2 StainlessSteel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304H Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy;SS-304L Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-304N1 Stainless Steel—300Series Alloy; SS-304N2 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316HStainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316L Stainless Steel—300 SeriesAlloy; SS-316N1 Stainless Steel—300 Series Alloy; SS-316N2 StainlessSteel—300 Series Alloy; SS-409L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy;SS-409LE Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-410 Stainless Steel—400Series Alloy; SS-410L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-430LStainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-430N2 Stainless Steel—400 SeriesAlloy; SS-434L Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy; SS-434LCb StainlessSteel—400 Series Alloy; and SS-434N2 Stainless Steel—400 Series Alloy.Titanium alloys that may be used in this invention include any alloy ormodified alloy known to the skilled artisan including titanium grades5-38 and more specifically titanium grades 5, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24,25, 28, 29, 35, 36 or 38. Grades 5, 23, 24, 25, 29, 35, or 36 annealedor aged; Grades 9, 18, 28, or 38 cold-worked and stress-relieved orannealed; Grades 9, 18, 23, 28, or 29 transformed-beta condition; andGrades 19, 20, or 21 solution-treated or solution-treated and aged.Grade 5, also known as Ti6Al4V, Ti-6Al-4V or Ti 6-4, is the mostcommonly used alloy. It has a chemical composition of 6% aluminum, 4%vanadium, 0.25% (maximum) iron, 0.2% (maximum) oxygen, and the remaindertitanium. It is significantly stronger than commercially pure titaniumwhile having the same stiffness and thermal properties (excludingthermal conductivity, which is about 60% lower in Grade 5 Ti than in CPTi); Grade 6 contains 5% aluminum and 2.5% tin. It is also known asTi-5Al-2.55n. This alloy has good weldability, stability and strength atelevated temperatures; Grade 7 and 7H contains 0.12 to 0.25% palladium.This grade is similar to Grade 2. The small quantity of palladium addedgives it enhanced crevice corrosion resistance at low temperatures andhigh pH; Grade 9 contains 3.0% aluminum and 2.5% vanadium. This grade isa compromise between the ease of welding and manufacturing of the “pure”grades and the high strength of Grade 5; Grade 11 contains 0.12 to 0.25%palladium; Grade 12 contains 0.3% molybdenum and 0.8% nickel; Grades 13,14, and 15 all contain 0.5% nickel and 0.05% ruthenium; Grade 16contains 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 16H contains 0.04 to 0.08%palladium; Grade 17 contains 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 18 contains3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium and 0.04 to 0.08% palladium; Grade 19contains 3% aluminum, 8% vanadium, 6% chromium, 4% zirconium, and 4%molybdenum; Grade 20 contains 3% aluminum, 8% vanadium, 6% chromium, 4%zirconium, 4% molybdenum and 0.04% to 0.08% palladium; Grade 21 contains15% molybdenum, 3% aluminum, 2.7% niobium, and 0.25% silicon; Grade 23contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, 0.13% (maximum) Oxygen; Grade 24contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.04% to 0.08% palladium. Grade 25contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.3% to 0.8% nickel and 0.04% to0.08% palladium; Grades 26, 26H, and 27 all contain 0.08 to 0.14%ruthenium; Grade 28 contains 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium and 0.08 to0.14% ruthenium; Grade 29 contains 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and 0.08 to0.14% ruthenium; Grades 30 and 31 contain 0.3% cobalt and 0.05%palladium; Grade 32 contains 5% aluminum, 1% tin, 1% zirconium, 1%vanadium, and 0.8% molybdenum; Grades 33 and 34 contain 0.4% nickel,0.015% palladium, 0.025% ruthenium, and 0.15% chromium; Grade 35contains 4.5% aluminum, 2% molybdenum, 1.6% vanadium, 0.5% iron, and0.3% silicon; Grade 36 contains 45% niobium; Grade 37 contains 1.5%aluminum; and Grade 38 contains 4% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium, and 1.5%iron. The mechanical properties are very similar to Grade 5, but hasgood cold workability similar to grade 9. One embodiment includes aTi6A14V composition. One embodiment includes a composition having 3-12%aluminum, 2-8% vanadium, 0.1-0.75% iron, 0.1-0.5% oxygen, and theremainder titanium. More specifically, about 6% aluminum, about 4%vanadium, about 0.25% iron, about 0.2% oxygen, and the remaindertitanium. For example, one Ti composition may include 10 to 35% Cr, 0.05to 15% Al, 0.05 to 2% Ti, 0.05 to 2% Y₂O₅, with the balance being eitherFe, Ni or Co, or an alloy consisting of 20±1.0% Cr, 4.5±0.5% Al,0.5±0.1% Y₂O₅ or ThO₂, with the balance being Fe. For example, one Ticomposition may include 15.0-23.0% Cr, 0.5-2.0% Si, 0.0-4.0% Mo,0.0-1.2% Nb, 0.0-3.0% Fe, 0.0-0.5% Ti, 0.0-0.5% Al, 0.0-0.3% Mn,0.0-0.1% Zr, 0.0-0.035% Ce, 0.005-0.025% Mg, 0.0005-0.005% B, 0.005-0.3%C, 0.0-20.0% Co, balance Ni. Sample Ti-based feedstock componentincludes 0-45% metal powder; 15-40% binder; 0-10% Polymer (e.g.,thermoplastics and thermosets); surfactant 0-3%; lubricant 0-3%;sintering aid 0-1%. Another sample Ti-based feedstock component includesabout 62% TiH2 powder as a metal powder; about 29% naphthalene as abinder; about 2.1-2.3% polymer (e.g., EVA/epoxy); about 2.3% SURFONICN-100® as a Surfactant; lubricant is 1.5% stearic acid as a; about 0.4%silver as a sintering Aid. Examples of metal compounds include metalhydrides, such as TiH2, and intermetallics, such as TiAl and TiAl₃. Aspecific instance of an alloy includes Ti-6Al, 4V, among others. Inanother embodiment, the metal powder comprises at least approximately45% of the volume of the feedstock, while in still another, it comprisesbetween approximately 54.6% and 70.0%. In addition, Ti—Al alloys mayconsists essentially of 32-38% of Al and the balance of Ti and contains0.005-0.20% of B, and the alloy which essentially consists of the abovequantities of Al and Ti and contains, in addition to the above quantityof B, up to 0.2% of C, up to 0.3% of 0 and/or up to 0.3% of N (providedthat O+N add up to 0.4%) and c) 0.05-3.0% of Ni and/or 0.05-3.0% of Si,and the balance of Ti. Examples of metals for use in the presentinvention include but are not limited to: stainless steel includingmartensitic and austenitic stainless steel, steel alloys, tungstenalloys, soft magnetic alloys such as iron, iron-silicon, electricalsteel, iron-nickel (50Ni-50F3), low thermal expansion alloys, orcombinations thereof. In one embodiment, the powdered metal is a mixtureof stainless steel, brass and tungsten alloy. The stainless steel usedin the present invention may be any 1 series carbon steels, 2 seriesnickel steels, 3 series nickel-chromium steels, 4 series molybdenumsteels, series chromium steels, 6 series chromium-vanadium steels, 7series tungsten steels, 8 series nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels, or 9series silicon-manganese steels, e.g., 102, 174, 201, 202, 300, 302,303, 304, 308, 309, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 321, 405, 408, 409, 410, 416, 420,430, 439, 440, 446 or 601-665 grade stainless steel. For example, theindividual upper primer insert portion and lower primer insert portionmay be formed from SAE grade: 409, 410, 430, 440A, 440B, 440C, 440F,410, 416, 420, 420F, 430F, 431, 630 (17-4 stainless steel), 301, 301LN,304, 304L, 304L, 304LN, 304H, 305, 310, 3105, 316, 316LN, 316L, 316L,316L, 316Ti, 316LN, 317L, 321, 321H, 2304, 2205, J405, 904L, 254SMO,620Ni, 718Ni, 920, or super chrome.

As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, stainless steel is analloy of iron and at least one other component that imparts corrosionresistance. As such, in one embodiment, the stainless steel is an alloyof iron and at least one of chromium, nickel, silicon, molybdenum, ormixtures thereof. Examples of such alloys include, but are not limitedto, an alloy containing about 1.5 to about 2.5 percent nickel, no morethan about 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.15 percentcarbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm³to about 8 g/cm³; an alloy containing about 6 to about 8 percent nickel,no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.15percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7g/cm³ to about 8 g/cm³; an alloy containing about 0.5 to about 1 percentchromium, about 0.5 percent to about 1 percent nickel, no more thanabout 0.5 percent molybdenum, no more than about 0.2 percent carbon, andthe balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm³ to about 8g/cm³; an alloy containing about 2 to about 3 percent nickel, no morethan about 0.5 percent molybdenum, about 0.3 to about 0.6 percentcarbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm³to about 8 g/cm³; an alloy containing about 6 to about 8 percent nickel,no more than about 0.5 percent molybdenum, about 0.2 to about 0.5percent carbon, and the balance iron with a density ranging from about 7g/cm³ to about 8 g/cm³; an alloy containing about 1 to about 1.6 percentchromium, about 0.5 percent or less nickel, no more than about 0.5percent molybdenum, about 0.9 to about 1.2 percent carbon, and thebalance iron with a density ranging from about 7 g/cm³ to about 8 g/cm³;and combinations thereof.

Suitable tungsten alloys include an alloy containing about 2.5 to about3.5 percent nickel, about 0.5 percent to about 2.5 percent copper oriron, and the balance tungsten with a density ranging from about 17.5g/cm³ to about 18.5 g/cm³; about 3 to about 4 percent nickel, about 94percent tungsten, and the balance copper or iron with a density rangingfrom about 17.5 g/cm³ to about 18.5 g/cm³; and mixtures thereof. Theinsert may be made by any method including MIM, cold forming, forming,milling, machining, printing, 3D printing, additive manufacturing,etching and so forth.

The polymeric and composite casing components may be formed by molding apolymer ammunition cartridge blank that extends to a primer insert whichis overmolded to form an unitary polymer ammunition cartridge blank withthe injection molded including overmolding into the flash aperture tothe flash aperture groove.

Polymeric materials must have propellant compatibility and resistance togun cleaning solvents and grease, as well as resistance to chemicalagents, biological agents and atmospheric conditions. The polymericmaterials must have a temperature resistance higher than the cook-offtemperature of the propellant, typically about 320° F. The polymericmaterials must have elongation-to-break values that to resistdeformation under interior ballistic pressure as high as 60,000 psi inall environments (temperatures from about −65 to about 320° F. andhumidity from 0 to 100% RH). The components may be formed fromhigh-strength polymer, polymer blends with metals, nonmetals, and/orceramics; composites; or ceramics. Examples of suitable high strengthpolymers include composite polymer material including a metal powderpolymer blend, nylon 6/6, nylon 6, and glass fibers; and a specificgravity in a range of 3-10. The polymer material also includes about0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and most preferably about 2-9% byweight, of nylon 6/6 or fibers known to the skilled artisan, about0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and most preferably about 2-9% byweight, of nylon 6, and about 0.5-15%, preferably about 1-12%, and mostpreferably about 2-9% by weight, of glass fibers. It is most suitablethat each of these ingredients be included in amounts less than 10% byweight.

Examples of suitable polymers include polyurethane prepolymer,cellulose, fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer,ethylene vinyl acetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer,polyester sulfone, polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidenefluoride or thermoset polyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers,acetates, copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplasticfluoro polymers, inomers, polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates,polyatherketones, polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates,polybutylene, terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones,thermoplastic polyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylenesulfides, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides,styrene acrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends,styrene maleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates,epoxies, phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides,polyurethanes, silicones, vinylesters, or urethane hybrids. Examples ofsuitable polymers also include aliphatic or aromatic polyamide,polyeitherimide, polysulfone, polyphenylsulfone, poly-phenylene oxide,liquid crystalline polymer and polyketone. Examples of suitablecomposites include polymers such as polyphenylsulfone reinforced withbetween about 30 and about 70 wt %, and preferably up to about 65 wt %of one or more reinforcing materials selected from glass fiber, ceramicfiber, carbon fiber, mineral fillers, organo nanoclay, or carbonnanotube. Preferred reinforcing materials, such as choppedsurface-treated E-glass fibers provide flow characteristics at theabove-described loadings comparable to unfilled polymers to provide adesirable combination of strength and flow characteristics that permitthe molding of head-end components. Composite components can be formedby machining or injection molding. Finally, the cartridge case mustretain sufficient joint strength at cook-off temperatures. The cartridgecasing body and polymer ammunition cartridge blanks may be made of amodified ZYTEL resin, available from E.I. DuPont De Nemours Co., amodified 612 nylon resin, modified to increase elastic response. Morespecifically, polymers suitable for molding of the projectile-endcomponent have one or more of the following properties: Yield or tensilestrength at −65° F.>10,000 psi Elongation-to-break at −65° F.>15% Yieldor tensile strength at 73° F.>8,000 psi Elongation-to-break at 73°F.>50% Yield or tensile strength at 320° F.>4,000 psiElongation-to-break at 320° F.>80%. Polymers suitable for molding of themiddle-body component have one or more of the following properties:Yield or tensile strength at −65° F.>10,000 psi Yield or tensilestrength at 73° F.>8,000 psi Yield or tensile strength at 320° F.>4,000psi.

Commercially available polymers suitable for use in the presentinvention thus include polyphenylsulfones; copolymers ofpolyphenylsulfones with polyether-sulfones or polysulfones; copolymersand blends of polyphenylsulfones with polysiloxanes;

poly(etherimide-siloxane); copolymers and blends of polyetherimides andpolysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides andpoly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers; and the like. Particularlypreferred are polyphenylsulfones and their copolymers with poly-sulfonesor polysiloxane that have high tensile strength and elongation-to-breakto sustain the deformation under high interior ballistic pressure. Suchpolymers are commercially available, for example, RADEL R5800polyphenylesulfone from Solvay Advanced Polymers. The polymer can beformulated with up to about 10 wt % of one or more additives selectedfrom internal mold release agents, heat stabilizers, anti-static agents,colorants, impact modifiers and UV stabilizers.

One embodiment includes a primer insert that is overmolded with apolymer based material, e.g., polybutylene, polycarbonates,polypropylene, polysulfones, polyphenylesulfone polyphenylesulfone andderivatives thereof. In one embodiment the primer insert includes a lipor flange to extract the case from the weapon. One 2-cavity mold toproduce the case using a stripper plate tool using an Osco hot spur andtwo subgates per cavity. Another embodiment includes a subsonic version,the difference from the standard may be the walls are thicker thusrequiring less powder or the cartridge may contain a reduced powderload. This will decrease the velocity of the bullet thus creating asubsonic round.

The insert extraction grooves are used to give the polymer case a toughenough ridge and groove for the weapons extractor to grab and pull thecase out the chamber. The primer insert may be made of 17-4 stainlesssteal that is hardened to 42-45 rc. The primer insert may be made ofaluminum, brass, cooper, steel, stainless steal, composites, compositesblends, metal composites blends, metal blends, polymer blends, metaldoped polymers, alloys, or even an engineered resin with enough tensilestrength. The insert may be made by any method including MIM, forging,casting, hot forming, cold forming, forming, milling, machining,stamped, printing, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, etching and soforth. The insert is over molded in an injection molded process using apolymer material doped with nano clay particles and/or Nylon material.In addition, an engineered resin able to withstand the demand on theinsert allows injection molded and/or even transfer molded.

One of ordinary skill in the art will know that many propellant typesand weights can be used to prepare workable ammunition and that suchloads may be determined by a careful trial including initial lowquantity loading of a given propellant and the well known stepwiseincreasing of a given propellant loading until a maximum acceptable loadis achieved. Extreme care and caution is advised in evaluating newloads. The propellants available have various burn rates and must becarefully chosen so that a safe load is devised.

The description of the embodiments should be taken as illustrating,rather than as limiting, the present invention as defined by the claims.As will be readily appreciated, numerous combinations of the featuresset forth above can be utilized without departing from the presentinvention as set forth in the claims. Such variations are not regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims isused to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer toalternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, althoughthe disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternativesand “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used toindicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for thedevice, the method being employed to determine the value, or thevariation that exists among the study subjects.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps.

This application incorporated the contents of each by reference in theirentirety U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/011,202 filed on Aug. 27,2013 which is a Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/292,843 filed on Nov. 9, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,543) whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/456,664, filed Nov. 10, 2010.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single piece polymeric ammunition comprising: aprimer insert comprising a top surface opposite a bottom surface, acoupling element extending away from the bottom surface and a primerrecess in the top surface that extends toward the bottom surface, aprimer flash aperture positioned in the primer recess to extend throughthe bottom surface, and a groove that extends circumferentially aboutthe primer flash aperture in the primer recess, wherein the groove isadapted to receive a polymer overmolding; a polymeric single piece bodyextending from a projectile aperture to a neck region that transitionsto a shoulder region that extends to overmold the primer insert, whereinthe polymeric eesingle piece body extends over the coupling element intothe primer flash aperture and into the groove to form a flash hole; apropellant chamber defined between the primer flash aperture and theprojectile aperture; a primer inserted into the primer recess; apropellant at least partially filling the propellant chamber; and aprojectile frictionally fitted in the projectile aperture.
 2. Thepolymeric ammunition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is formed from aductile polymer.
 3. The polymeric ammunition of claim 1, wherein theneck comprises a texturing at the projectile aperture.
 4. The polymericammunition of claim 3, wherein the texturing includes one or moreselected from etching, grooves, hatching, knurling, a texture, rings,and free formed textures.
 5. The polymeric ammunition of claim 3,wherein the texturing is on an internal neck region.
 6. The polymericammunition of claim 1, wherein the polymer ammunition cartridgecomprises a nylon polymer.
 7. The polymeric ammunition of claim 1,wherein the polymer ammunition cartridge comprises a fiber-reinforcedpolymeric material.
 8. The polymeric ammunition of claim 7, wherein thefiber-reinforced polymeric composite contains between about 10 and about70 wt % glass fiber fillers, mineral fillers, or mixtures thereof. 9.The polymeric ammunition of claim 1, comprises a polymers selected fromthe group consisting of polyurethane prepolymer, cellulose,fluoro-polymer, ethylene inter-polymer alloy elastomer, ethylene vinylacetate, nylon, polyether imide, polyester elastomer, polyester sulfone,polyphenyl amide, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride or thermosetpolyurea elastomer, acrylics, homopolymers, acetates, copolymers,acrylonitrile-butadinen-styrene, thermoplastic fluoro polymers, inomers,polyamides, polyamide-imides, polyacrylates, polyatherketones,polyaryl-sulfones, polybenzimidazoles, polycarbonates, polybutylene,terephthalates, polyether imides, polyether sulfones, thermoplasticpolyimides, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyphenylene sulfides,polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfones, polyvinylchlorides, styreneacrylonitriles, polystyrenes, polyphenylene, ether blends, styrenemaleic anhydrides, polycarbonates, allyls, aminos, cyanates, epoxies,phenolics, unsaturated polyesters, bismaleimides, polyurethanes,silicones, vinylesters, urethane hybrids, polyphenylsulfones, copolymersof polyphenylsulfones with polyethersulfones or polysulfones, copolymersof poly-phenylsulfones with siloxanes, blends of polyphenylsulfones withpolysiloxanes, poly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers, blends ofpolyetherimides and polysiloxanes, and blends of polyetherimides andpoly(etherimide-siloxane) copolymers.
 10. The polymeric ammunition ofclaim 1, wherein the polymer ammunition cartridge blank comprises one ormore polymers selected from the group consisting of polybutylene,polybutylene terephthalates, polyphenyl sulfones, polyether sulfones,and polycarbonates.
 11. The polymeric ammunition of claim 1, wherein theprojectile is a .17 HMR, .17 Hornet, .17 Ackley Hornet, .17 WinchesterSuper Magnum, .17-32 Magnum, .17 VHA, .17 Remington, .17/222, .17 Mach.17 Ackley Improved Bee, .17-357 RG, .17 Remington Fireball, .17Incinerator, 4.39×39Rmm SPS, 0.204 Ruger, 5 mm Remington Rimfire Magnum,5.45×39 mm Russian family, .22 Short, .22 Long, .22 Long Rifle, .22Stinger, 22 Extra Long, 0.297/230 Morris Extra Long, .22 Hornet, .22 RemAutomatic, 5.66×39 MPS, .22 Rem Jet, .218 Bee, .219 Zipper, .22Hornet-K, .220 Swift, .222 Remington, .222 Remington Magnum, .223Remington, 5.56×45 mm NATO, 5.7×28 mm, .22 TCM, 5.8×42 Chinese, .224Weatherby Magnum, .225 Winchester, .223 Winchester Super Short Magnum(Obsolete) .223 Ackley Improved, .219 Donaldson Wasp, 0.221 RemingtonFireball, 0.22-250 Remington and many more, .243 Winchester, 0.244Remington, 6 mm Remington, 6 mm plastic airsoft BBs, 6 mm Whisper, 6 mmPPC, 6 mm Bench Rest Remington, 6×45 mm, 6×47 mm, 6 mm Cheetah, 0.240Weatherby, 6×62 Freres, 6 mm Norma BR, 6XC Tubb, 6 mm JDJ, 6 mm SAW,6-250 Walker, 6.17 Spitfire, 6.17 Flash, 6 mm Lee Navy, and more, 0.25ACP (0.251″), 250/3000 Savage, 257 Roberts, 25-06 (0.257″), 0.277,6.5×55 mm, .260 Remington, 26 Nosler, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, .270Winchester, 6.8, 6.8 SPC, .280 Remington, 7 mm-08 Remington, 7 mmRemington Magnum, 7×57 mm Mauser, 7×64 mm, .30 Luger (7.65×21 mm Luger),.30-30 Win, 30 Herrett, .300 Whisper, .30-378 Weatherby, 7.63Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 7.63 Mauser, .30 USA Rimless, .308 Corbon, 0.3-9Savage, .30 Kurz, 300 AAC Blackout (7.62×35 mm), 7.5 mm Schmidt-Rubin,.300 Winchester Magnum, .30 Carbine, 309 JDJ, .30-03, .30-06Springfield, .30-06 JDJ, 0.307 GNR, .308 Winchester (7.62×51 mm NATO),.300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Army (.30-40 Krag), 7.82 mm Lazzeroni, anddozens more, .303 British, 7.62×39 mm Soviet, 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×25 mm,7.7×58 mm, .32 ACP, 8×57 mm IS, 0.325 WSM, 8 mm Remington Magnum, 8 mmplastic (airsoft) BBs, .338 Lapua, .338 Norma Magnum, .338 WinchesterMagnum, 0.338-378 Weatherby Magnum, 9 mm Luger, 9 mm Ultra, 9 mm BayardLong, 9 mm Browning Long, 9 mm Mauser, 9 mm Winchester Magnum, 9 mmGlisenti, 9×21 mm, 9×23 mm Winchester, 9 mm Mi-Bullet, 9 mm Steyr, .356Team Smith & Wesson, 9 mm Federal, 9 mm×25 mm Dillon, 9 mm ActionExpress, .380 ACP (9 mm Short), 9×56 mm Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 9 mm×57mm Mauser, .38 Super, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .357 SIG, 0.35Remington, 9×18 mm Makarov, 9.3×62 mm, 9.3×64 mm Brenneke, 9.3×72mmR,9.3×74 mm, .375 H&H Magnum, 9.5×57 mm MannlicherSchonauer (.375 RimlessNitro Express (RNE)×2 1/4), .40 S&W, 10 mm Auto, 0.444 Marlin, .44 S&WRussian, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .44 Auto Mag, 0.440Cor-Bon, 44/454 JDJ Woodswalker, .45 ACP, .45 GAP, .454 Casull, .45 LongColt, .455 Webley, .50 BMG, .50 Action Express, or 12.7×108 mmprojectile.
 12. The polymeric ammunition of claim 1, further comprisinga diffuser inserted into the primer recess.